Reviews: Strangers on a Train Novellas

Novella’s are notoriously hard… it’s difficult to build a ‘relationship’ with the characters because the story isn’t very long and you don’t get much history about them to even start forming an attachment.

Big Boy is an exception to that rule. In 66 pages, Ruthie had me cursing Tyler and wanting to jump into the pages to hug Mandy and tell her everything was going to be wonderful.

Mandy is a single mom to a child that isn’t biologically hers. She works full time and she struggles to make ends meet. But for one night a month she’s someone else. She meets Tyler through a dating website and they instantly connect. For that one night they both forget whatever is going on in their real lives to indulge in whatever fantasy is playing in their minds.

Tyler has his own struggles, and when they meet in real life, Mandy wants to make the transition to really dating… only she’s not sure that’s what Tyler will want.

Mandy was such a genuinely real character and that’s one of Ruthie’s talents. She writes people in such a realistic way that you can imagine sitting on their couch having a glass of wine and talking about what outfit she is going to wear to her next Tuesday date. She had me laughing and she had me cringing and she had me smiling like a fool.

One of my favorite passages….

“What kind of date?”

“The kind where I’m Tyler, and you’re Mandy, and I pick you up at seven and drive you to a restaurant and buy you dinner.”

This sounds like my kind of date but he’s not done yet.

“And afterward, we talk about our childhoods over coffee, and you make me laugh, and then I kiss you good night and feel like skipping on my way back to my car because you’re so fucking fantastic.”

This is one of a series of novellas written by some incredibly talented authors you’ll definitely want to check out! If you’re in the mood for a quick, sexy read this would be the perfect choice!

Brenna Burke is determined to make it through a full weekend on a train in order to interview for her dream job… but first she has to overcome the crippling claustrophobia that she has. It’s been years since the accident that brought the phobia on and this is her last hurdle.

Reid Cooper is a retired NYPD detective who after a brush with death is determined to change his life.

When a booking mistake interferes with both their plans, they find that they connect on an intense and passionate level. Helping each other overcome their demons is a step in the right direction … as long as they can accept the help each other is offering.

Hunter writes an wonderfully emotional story of two people who just needed to find each other. This has a bit of everything, some sweet moments, and yes, some excellent smut!

Definitely give it, and the others in the Strangers on a Train novellas a read!!

Amy left Seattle, and her workaholic ex boyfriend Jeff in the dust when she escaped across the country to NYC. She never expected to have him show up on her commuter train determined to win her back and have her come home with him.

Jeff Havers has always been committed to his work and attached to his phone. But he’s never realized the impact it’s had on his life until Amy finally spills all the reasons why she left him.

Can Amy let go of the past in order for Jeff to make amends and win her back, or is he just like her father was?

I really enjoyed Amy as a character. She was strong and independent and although she was partially at fault in the end of their relationship the growth in this short novella for her was wonderfully written.

You’ll definitely have to read Bell’s contribution to the Strangers on a Train novellas to find out how this one ends! You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

Caitlin donates platelets in order to get away from her overly demanding job… no phones allowed, no email and no stress for just a few hours ever couple of weeks.

She never expects to flirt with the donor across the aisle, especially because she has a boyfriend as hit and miss as their relationship might be. She doesn’t look back as she grabs a snack and leaves.

Fast forward to the dreaded company holiday party where she’s unceremoniously dumped. Taking the train home she’s spotted by none other than her blood donor flirtation, Mark Holly.

What kind of trouble can these two get into while locked in a cold subway station? You’ll have to read to find out!

Maguire writes a wonderful heroine in Caitlin… she’s witty and funny and I thoroughly enjoyed her in this story.

For a quick, hot read definitely check this and the others in the Strangers on a Train novellas out!

Allie hasn’t been on a date forever because she’s been trying to get her fledgling marketing company off the ground. She’s been trying to get Matt Kearns to pose in a calendar for a client and she is determined to make it happen.

Matt has been in a slump… It’s hard to date anyone who doesn’t know who he is and have them not try to use it to their advantage.

What happens when Allie and Matt meet by chance on a Napa Valley Wine Train tour and their interaction beings with just a little lie?

I really enjoyed both of these characters – they were funny and sweet and even a little sexy. The chemistry was wonderfully written and … who doesn’t love pitchers? 🙂

Definitely give this and all the others in the Strangers on a Train novella’s a read!